The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) to meet its seven-point demands, warning that failure to do so would prompt a nationwide strike that could paralyze public universities.
The ultimatum was announced following ASUU’s National Executive Council meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja. ASUU National President Professor Christopher Piwuna stated that despite several months of engagement through media and stakeholders, the government has largely ignored critical issues threatening the future of public university education.
ASUU’s seven key demands include the renegotiation and full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding for public universities, revitalization of university infrastructure, an end to the victimization of union members particularly in Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University, and Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), payment of outstanding salary arrears ranging from 25% to 35%, settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and the remittance of outstanding third-party deductions.
Professor Piwuna emphasized that the government’s persistent inaction has left the union with no choice but to consider industrial action as the next step. The union plans to initiate a two-week warning strike should the deadline pass without satisfactory progress, followed by an indefinite strike if issues remain unresolved.
In response, the Federal Ministry of Education had earlier formed a committee to review ASUU’s proposals, but the committee’s recommendations are yet to be made public. Meanwhile, the Minister of Education appealed for patience, encouraging ongoing dialogue over strikes.
ASUU’s ultimatum underscores the urgency surrounding Nigeria’s higher education challenges, signaling another critical test for the government’s commitment to educational reforms and funding.
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